This blog is in support of Dr. Michael Babula's campaign for Congress in Maryland's 4th District. It highlights the issue of legalizing drugs.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Babula for Congress in Maryland's 4th Congressional District!

Dr. Michael Babula, who is running for Congress in Maryland’s fourth congressional district, supports ending the prohibition of drugs and believes it is a moral and economic issue. The prohibition of drugs has caused economic incentive for illegal cartels and gangs. Ending the prohibition of drugs would significantly reduce violent crime caused by addicts and drug dealers, whose only option is to steal, murder, and partake in illegal employment to support their habits. Through legalizing drugs, there will be an increase in supply, which will cause the price of drugs to decrease, and thus, make them more affordable for addicts who no longer need to engage in criminal acts. Also, the legalization of drugs would eventually lead to peace in Columbia and Latin America.

Babula2008.com states that during prohibition, cartels sold more potent forms of alcohol, while today the average per capita consumption of alcohol has plummeted to its lowest level ever. The outcome would be the same with drug use. Just like alcohol, the government has no right to tell its citizens what types of substances they are allowed to consume. According to http://www.jstor.org/view/00419907/ap050314/05a00050/0, pregnant women fear going to the hospital for treatment because officials will have them arrested or take their child away. The problems the pregnant women face in getting help are ignored and thus make the problem worse. The focus should not be on arresting the woman, but on treatment.

Dr. Babula’s competitors from Maryland’s fourth congressional district, Donna Edwards and Albert Wynn fail to mention their stance on the prohibition of drugs on their websites while Dr. Babula clearly states his stance on the legalization of drugs and a number of other current issues.

There are many benefits to the legalization of drugs. Legalizing drugs would force gang members to get jobs because they would no longer be able to make a living off selling drugs. Secondly, it would save billions of dollars in prison costs and allow police to focus on actual crimes occurring in communities. Thirdly, ending the prohibition of drugs would raise billions of dollars in new tax revenues that could then be put into crime and drug abuse prevention and treatment, school systems, and making the community safer. Fourthly, http://www.richardwarrenfield.com/Ten%20ReasonstoEndProhibition.htm offers a number of key reasons to end prohibition, one being to regulate drug dosages.

While I do understand this side of the debate, I disagree. Leagalizing drugs would have its benefits, but it would also put the public in danger. Certain drugs are illegal because they are deemed unsafe. Is it socially responsible to make these harmful substances readily availible to the public? Do we really need 10 year old meth addicts in this country? The legalization of intravenous drugs could potentially make the transmittion rates for diseases like HIV and AIDS rise. Overall, while good in theory, the legalization of drugs would not be effective in our society.

I definately agree on Babulas stance on the issue regarding the stop to prohibition on drugs, he makes a strong point by saying the government has no right to control what substances are being comsumed by people.

While I agree with many of Dr. Babula's points, I am skeptical and hesitant about legalizing ALL drugs. We are presently seeing legalized prescription drugs being abused causing accidental overdose and death. Aren't there drug dealers out there selling these legalized drugs as well????

Legalizing drugs can definitely put the public in danger. While I am all for ending Colombian drug wars and putting a stop to drug-related crimes, I feel we are opening Pandora's box by making controlled substances readily available.

This is absolutely ridiculous. Dr. Babula's compassion for drug dealers, cartels, and drug atticts is disgusting. How can we legalize drugs having the well-being of sick people, criminals, etc. in mind, while completely forgetting the precipitous consequences that would come as a result of this legislation. With dangerous narcotics easily available, consumption would climb and young people would become addicted to drugs at an overwhelming rate. Why do we want to risk the health of healthy children and young people all over in order to coddle drug addicts, most of which contribute virtually nothing to society.

In addition, legalizing the sale of narcotics would require the taxation of the government. In the spirit of capitalism, and free enterprise, those who elect to sell drugs should not face the limitations and the regulations of the government. Let the scum who bring drugs to our streets do so free from government intervention, and if this means keeping the situation violent, well, they probably deserve it.

The presence of legalized drugs would be catalysmic. Not only will it damage the already deteriorating academic standards of American youth, it will give addicts the message that their seriously abhorrent lifestyle choices are acceptable. I am a believer in caring for the sick, but contributing to addiction is no different than euthanasia. Let these people kill themselves. Let these cartels and gangs kill each other. Like really, Babula? Like really? If you had BBM I woudln't even pin you.

After reading the blog and checking out Babula's campaign website, I think he would make for a great Congressman. The legalization of drugs would be great for our declining economy because it would stimulate it and go straight up from there.

Once drugs are legalized, the price of drugs would decline due to an increase in supply. This would make drugs more affordable for criminals, as stated in the blog, and decrease criminal activity. A decline in crime, such as robbery, murder and rape, would be great for our country and help better society.

There is no logic in dre. comments. The problem is that our government, by banning guns, has created the economic incentive for people to partake in gangs. This economic incentive led to 140 gang related murders in Prince George's County. Two teens were recently shot in Prince George's County. The user knows their habit is wrong. But the innocent kid shot as a result of the government's war on drugs is an innocent victim. Legalize drugs and gangs would disappear for lack of economic incentive. Also, drive by shootings would become a thing of the past. And America would no longer be killing innocent people in Latin America, who like victims of drive by shootings, have also got caught up in the drug war. Marijuana was decriminalized in England, and since then, usage of Marijuana has declined significantly. Crime rates with regard to marijuana sales have also significantly declined in the United Kingdom. The drug user knows what they are doing is wrong. Should we put the ban back on alcohol? Should we ban fast food? It’s obvious that legalization would work. It works in Europe. It would work here. Lets start creating a society that Thomas Jefferson would be proud to call home!